"Of course, we should if we have any doubts about their validity - that is a major reason why the Supertraining list came into being! Many of the members of this list have grown thoroughly weary of all the unsubstantiated and exaggerated claims being made in the fitness and sports market about various weird and wonderful training methods and tools. They are now demanding a little more than marketing hype, persuasive language, stupendous infomercials, exciting seminar speakers and lorry loads of anecdotes to back up all the nonsense and non-sense out there.

It is our unabashed crusade to educate and serve as iconoclasts of all the unproven emotive dogma, so if anyone makes any such claims please submit to our trusty band of analysts and set the dissection process into action!"

SomaSimple has historically taken a similar position. I believe it benefits all of us. Challenges to our approaches--or at least the way those challenges are presented, may seem disrespectful, but it's the irritation that makes the pearl.
]]>General DiscussionKen Jakalskihttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/general-discussion/385110-challenging-the-views-of-othersComforthttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/385061-comfort
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:15:07 GMT
It seems that many don't realize how primal is the need to move toward comfort in the human being. This can be overcome by a team of other things but it remains rooted in our sense of ourselves. It might be overcome by fashion and other bits of cultural awareness, but it is always present. Like sleep, it seems necessary for normal functioning and our need for it (comfort) often colors what we do.

Our seeking out comfort is expressed in reflex and elaborated in rituals that lead toward it. Much of therapy is driven by it. Can you think of some examples? ]]>Range of MotionBarrett Dorkohttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/385061-comfortEffect of knee alignment on the quadriceps femoris muscularity: Cross-sectional comparison of trained versus untrained individuals in both sexeshttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/the-performance-lab/385056-effect-of-knee-alignment-on-the-quadriceps-femoris-muscularity-cross-sectional-comparison-of-trained-versus-untrained-individuals-in-both-sexes
Mon, 14 Aug 2017 20:25:40 GMThttp://journals.plos.org/plosone/art...l.pone.0183148 (http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0183148)
Abstract
Knee alignment is suggested to be a factor affecting each quadriceps femoris muscle size, and knee alignment such as Q-angle differs between men and...http://journals.plos.org/plosone/art...l.pone.0183148

Abstract

Knee alignment is suggested to be a factor affecting each quadriceps femoris muscle size, and knee alignment such as Q-angle differs between men and women. Also, training can induce inhomogeneous hypertrophy among the quadriceps femoris, thereby leading to different component characteristics of the muscles. If Q-angle is a major determinant of the quadriceps femoris muscularity, it is hypothesized that the sex-related difference in the quadriceps femoris muscularity, if any, is further highlighted in trained individuals, being associated with Q-angle. We tested this hypothesis. Magnetic resonance images of the right thigh were obtained from 26 varsity rowers as trained subjects (13 for each sex) and 34 untrained individuals as controls (17 for each sex). From the images, muscle volume of each constituent of the quadriceps femoris (vastus lateralis, VL; medialis, VM; intermedius; rectus femoris) was determined. The Q-angle was measured during quiet bilateral standing with hand support as needed. Percent volume of VM to the total quadriceps femoris was greater in female rowers than male rowers and female controls, and that of VL was greater in male rowers than male controls. There were no correlations between Q-angle and percent muscle volume in any muscles regardless of rowing experience or sex. The current study revealed that well-trained rowers have sex-related quadriceps femoris muscularity but no significant correlations between percent muscle volume in any muscles and Q-angle. Our findings suggest that Q-angle is not a major determinant of the quadriceps femoris muscularity in either well-trained or untrained individuals.]]>The Performance LabJo Bowyerhttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/the-performance-lab/385056-effect-of-knee-alignment-on-the-quadriceps-femoris-muscularity-cross-sectional-comparison-of-trained-versus-untrained-individuals-in-both-sexeshttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/general-discussion/385026-core-training
Sun, 13 Aug 2017 21:05:20 GMTSeveral years ago a Supertraining forum member mentioned athletes loading 200-300lbs of weight in a wheel barrow and tugging it around as a great way to work the core. Here was Mel’s response. It should make all of us reconsider our certainty about the value or necessity of a strong core:
...
Several years ago a Supertraining forum member mentioned athletes loading 200-300lbs of weight in a wheel barrow and tugging it around as a great way to work the core. Here was Mel’s response. It should make all of us reconsider our certainty about the value or necessity of a strong core:

"When they have mastered that [wheel barrow], let them try some of the feats like those mastered by high paraplegics such as my wife in handcycling or wheeling for miles - or swimming nearly a mile with arms alone. Remember that all of this is done with little or no control or balance of the core of the body.

All of these amazing physical feats by people with mobility impairment really make one think - especially about all those theories about core strength, posture and balance. People with high spinal injuries have to rely on the arms for propulsion and balance because the spinal nerves (sensory and motor) to all the muscles below the site of the lesion have been completely or partially severed. The skeletal muscle structures of the "core" or trunk can play no active role in the upper body actions of such individuals.

This means that local "segmental" and global muscle actions of the trunk are of no relevance in the propulsion and exercising of the high paraplegic. All balance has to be mediated by some peripheral contact without any assistance from the core or the legs.

Clearly, we can learn a great deal about the complexities and mechanisms of stability, balance and core action by studying the abilities of both the elite athlete and the disabled person right at opposite ends of the bell-shaped (Gaussian) curve of human performance."

]]>General DiscussionKen Jakalskihttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/general-discussion/385026-core-trainingSoulful Sunday Ihttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/385011-soulful-sunday-i
Sun, 13 Aug 2017 09:29:53 GMT
Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but it seems to me that the rise in "methods" that are proposed to solve the complex issue of painful complaint are often trendy and fashionable.

A discussion is needed. I've several thoughts in mind and will contribute them here.

Perhaps others will as well.]]>Range of MotionBarrett Dorkohttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/385011-soulful-sunday-ihttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/vestibular-rehabilitation/384999-clinical-characteristics-and-outcomes-of-treatment-of-the-cervical-spine-in-patients-with-persistent-post-concussion-symptoms-a-retrospective-analysis
Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:43:43 GMThttp://www.mskscienceandpractice.com...lltext?rss=yes (http://www.mskscienceandpractice.com/article/S2468-7812(17)30052-8/fulltext?rss=yes)
Highlights
The cervical spine may contribute to persistent post-concussion symptoms.
Physical examination is important to identify those with a...http://www.mskscienceandpractice.com...lltext?rss=yes

Highlights

The cervical spine may contribute to persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Physical examination is important to identify those with a cervicogenic component.

Pain on manual segmental testing appears a key feature of a cervicogenic component.

Concussion is typically defined as a mild brain injury, and yet the brain is unlikely to be the only source of persistent post-concussion symptoms. Concurrent injury to the cervical spine in particular is acknowledged as a potential source of common persistent symptoms such as headache, dizziness and neck pain.

Objectives

To describe the cervical spine findings and outcomes of treatment in a series of patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms, and describe the clinical characteristics of a cervicogenic component when it is present.

Design

Retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of patients with concussion referred to a physiotherapist for cervical spine assessment.

Method

Patient charts for all patients over a calendar year referred by a concussion service provider to a physiotherapist for cervical spine assessment were de-identified and transferred to the research team. Clinical data were independently extracted by two research assistants and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results/findings

Data were analysed from 46 patient charts. Those with a cervicogenic component (n = 32) were distinguished from those without a cervicogenic component (n = 14) by physical examination findings, particularly pain on manual segmental examination. Physiotherapy treatment of the cervicogenic component (n = 21) achieved improvements in function (mean increase of 3.8 in the patient-specific functional scale), and pain (mean decrease of 4.6 in the numeric pain-rating scale).

Conclusions

The clinical characteristics described give preliminary support to the idea that the cervical spine may contribute to persistent post-concussion symptoms, and highlight the value of physiotherapy assessment and treatment of the cervical spine following a concussive injury.

Keywords:

Brain concussion, Neck, Cervicogenic, Physiotherapy]]>Vestibular RehabilitationJo Bowyerhttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/vestibular-rehabilitation/384999-clinical-characteristics-and-outcomes-of-treatment-of-the-cervical-spine-in-patients-with-persistent-post-concussion-symptoms-a-retrospective-analysisSaturday Breakfasthttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/384997-saturday-breakfast
Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:07:46 GMT
Often we jump back and forth between such subjects (or others I haven't mentioned) and a lot of laughter is involved. Some might not laugh. There is a bit of talk some wouldn't "get," but we also wonder about how the younger generation knows about some different things. I use the word "scattered" to explain the difference between not knowing why Tom can't get excited about the coming total eclipse of the sun (it's a completely American phenomenon, according to the TV) but would quote me a lyric from a Carly Simon song from the 70s about one. There's a lot to know these days.

A story about the total eclipse was on the front page. That's a newspaper term.

I heard my grandson, Michael Barrett, knows about the battle of Yorktown and he told his tour group in D.C. all about it. He's seven.

Tom is the chief of orthopedics at The Crystal Clinic. It's a wonderful place. They haven't the money to advertise like some others, but they're the best. Advertising is very powerful.

Tom got a call about another surgeon's patient while we were walking to our cars. It was a case involving an elbow, and I said, "An elbow?" Tom said the other surgeon was good.

I trust this assessment.]]>Range of MotionBarrett Dorkohttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/barrett-s-forums/range-of-motion/384997-saturday-breakfastHow might AI change the treatment of chronic pain?https://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/general-discussion/384982-how-might-ai-change-the-treatment-of-chronic-pain
Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:33:54 GMTAI is the topic du jour. It will have huge implications for us, as it will all of society.
Some tasks where I expect bots will excel:
- visual identifications such as countenance, posture, antalgic compensation, color changes, swelling, gait, ROM, etc
- auditory identifications of tones of...
Some tasks where I expect bots will excel:

I can imagine Google or Amazon having a health checker algorithm that talks to and watches you over your webcam, measuring movements, recognizing natural speech at natural speed, collating in real time, and moving through extremely complex decision trees with ease. I can imagine such algos giving prescription exercises and administering CBT-style interventions, all with a smiling robotic face. I believe we are very close to this sort of thing being launched. Stand by.]]>General DiscussionEG-Physiohttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/general-discussion/384982-how-might-ai-change-the-treatment-of-chronic-painhttps://www.somasimple.com/forums/forum/physiotherapy-physical-therapy-manual-therapy-bodywork/vestibular-rehabilitation/384974-eye-stabilization-reflexes-in-traumatic-and-non-traumatic-chronic-neck-pain-patients
Sat, 12 Aug 2017 01:58:08 GMThttp://www.mskscienceandpractice.com...lltext?rss=yes (http://www.mskscienceandpractice.com/article/S2468-7812(17)30055-3/fulltext?rss=yes)
Highlights
Chronic, unsuccessfully treated neck patients have an elevated COR.
This elevation seems to be independent of the origin of complaints....http://www.mskscienceandpractice.com...lltext?rss=yes

Highlights

Chronic, unsuccessfully treated neck patients have an elevated COR.

This elevation seems to be independent of the origin of complaints.

The group of neck patients with altered reflexes is bigger than assumed.

Thus, other presently unknown factors cause the reflex alterations.

Maybe persistent sensorimotor disorders are a perpetuating factor.

Abstract

Background

Many chronic neck pain patients experience problems with vision. These problems are possibly induced by deviations of the eye stabilization reflexes. It is not known whether these eye reflex alterations occur both in traumatic and non-traumatic neck pain patients.

Objective

To investigate if the cervico-ocular reflex (COR) and the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) are changed in tertiary care patients with prolonged, chronic neck pain with various origin of complaints.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Methods

Ninety-one chronic neck pain patients were subdivided into three groups by origin of complaints, and compared with healthy controls. COR and VOR gains were measured with an infrared eye tracking device with the subject sitting on a rotating chair in a darkened room and with the head fixed.Results

Chronic neck pain patients, who already received primary care, still have an elevated cervico-ocular reflex. The origin of complaints did not seem to be associated with this deviant oculomotor behavior.